Applying device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An applying device includes an applying member that applies an applying material to an outer peripheral surface of a fixing member that rotates, while a peripheral velocity difference is caused to exist between a peripheral velocity of the fixing member and a peripheral velocity of the applying member. The applying material contains a fluorocarbon resin material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An applying device comprising:
 an applying member that applies an applying material to an outer peripheral surface of a fixing member that rotates, while a peripheral velocity difference is caused to exist between a peripheral velocity of the fixing member and a peripheral velocity of the applying member, the applying material having an outer peripheral surface containing a fluorocarbon resin material, 
 wherein the applying material contains cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene as the fluorocarbon resin material, 
 wherein the outer peripheral surface of the applying member is configured to directly contact the fixing member, and 
 wherein the applying member has a retracting mechanical section that brings the applying member in contact with the fixing member and separates the applying member from the fixing member. 
 
     
     
       2. The applying device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a holding unit that holds the applying material, wherein the applying member applies the applying material received from the holding unit to the fixing member. 
     
     
       3. A fixing device comprising:
 the fixing member including a surface layer having separability allowing a recording medium to separate therefrom, the fixing member heating and fixing a developer image on the recording medium while the fixing member rotates; 
 a pressure member that applies pressure with the recording medium being interposed between the fixing member and the pressure member; and 
 the applying device according to  claim 1  that applies the applying material to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member, 
 wherein the fixing device has an external heating roller that is brought into contact the fixing member and separates from the fixing member, and 
 wherein the applying member contacts the fixing member after the external heating roller separates from the fixing member. 
 
     
     
       4. A fixing device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a cleaning unit disposed upstream from an application position where the applying material is applied in a direction of rotation of the fixing member, the cleaning unit cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member,
 wherein the retracting mechanical section brings the cleaning unit in contact with the fixing member and separates from the fixing member. 
 
     
     
       5. A fixing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cleaning unit is a rotary member including an elastic member at an outer peripheral surface side thereof. 
     
     
       6. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a developer image forming unit that forms the developer image; 
 a transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed at the developer image forming unit to the recording medium; and 
 the fixing device according to  claim 3  that fixes the developer image transferred at the transfer unit to the recording medium, the fixing device being capable of performing the fixing on a plurality of types of the recording media having different widths.